Ming Chen, of the AMC television series “Comic Book Men,” looks at a “Captain America” shield that was part of a costume worn by Kayla Deevers, of Festus, Missouri, at ARCHON, a science fiction/fantasy convention held annually in Collinsville. This years convention, which continues through Sunday, is expected to draw approximately 2,300 people. less

Ming Chen, of the AMC television series “Comic Book Men,” looks at a “Captain America” shield that was part of a costume worn by Kayla Deevers, of Festus, Missouri, at ARCHON, a science fiction/fantasy ... more

Photo: Scott Cousins | The Telegraph

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A member of the Zombie Squad, a St. Louis-based organization that preaches emergency preparedness using zombie themes, talks to people at ARCHON, a science fiction/fantasy convention held annually in Collinsville. This years convention, which continues through Sunday, is expected to draw approximately 2,300 people. less

A member of the Zombie Squad, a St. Louis-based organization that preaches emergency preparedness using zombie themes, talks to people at ARCHON, a science fiction/fantasy convention held annually in ... more

Photo: Scott Cousins | The Telegraph

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Denise Dietsch, of St. Louis, talks to someone while standing near her “costume,” a collection of outfits worn by various “Dr. Who” actors, at ARCHON, a science fiction/fantasy convention held annually in Collinsville. This years convention, which continues through Sunday, is expected to draw approximately 2,300 people. less

Denise Dietsch, of St. Louis, talks to someone while standing near her “costume,” a collection of outfits worn by various “Dr. Who” actors, at ARCHON, a science fiction/fantasy convention held annually ... more

Photo: Scott Cousins | The Telegraph

Image 4 of 5

Bobby McClery, of Granite City, and Amanda Morris, of Belleville, dressed as The Riddler and one of his henchmen walk through ARCHON Friday afternoon. They were at the convention for their bachelor/bachelorette party. less

Bobby McClery, of Granite City, and Amanda Morris, of Belleville, dressed as The Riddler and one of his henchmen walk through ARCHON Friday afternoon. They were at the convention for their bachelor/bachelorette ... more

Photo: Scott Cousins | The Telegraph

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ARCHON gives people a chance to be themselves – dressed as somebody else

Before it ends Sunday, an estimated 2,300 people will have worked their way through the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, many of them in costume.

ARCHON started as a literary convention, but has become a general “con” with several tracks ranging from costuming to writers’ workshops.

Alan DeVaughan, one of the convention’s co-chairs, said things really pick up after 5 p.m. Friday.

“Saturday is the big day,” he said.

That includes the Masquerade, one of the highlights of the convention. A costume contest for everybody from beginners to professionals with elaborate set-ups, which is considered one of the best in the country.

On Friday afternoon people were starting to come in. Costumes ranged from animal ears or masks, to elaborate outfits.

Bruce Hinterleitner, an artist/costumer from St. Louis, came as “Yondu” from the “Guardians of the Galaxy,” complete in a “Mary Poppins” skirt.

“It’s a fun place,” he said. “I’ve been coming here for a long time. It’s like a family reunion now.”

Bobby McClery, of Granite City, dressed as “The Riddler” from “Batman.” With him was Amanda Morris, of Belleville, dressed as a henchman. The two came to the convention for their bachelor/bachelorette party.

It was his first time, but she has been there “many times.”

“These are our people,” she said. “Everybody is so welcoming, so nice. You get to be somebody you’re not for a day or two. I love cosplay, it’s my favorite thing in the world. That he’s willing to do it for me just makes me happy.”

DeVaughan said it was difficult to spot trends early, but there was a lot of excitement because of a new Doctor in the long-running British sci-fi series “Doctor Who.”

Denise Dietsch, of St. Louis, came toting a “Doctor Who” wardrobe as her costume.

She rolled around a rack of clothes containing each costume worn by “Doctor Who” over the life of the series.

“It’s hard picking a favorite doctor, so I‘ve got every one of them here,” she said. “It’s just like we walked into their closet.”

She said there are 12, maybe 13 different “Doctor Who’s,” depending on how you count them.

“I’ve always been a who fan since the 1970s,” she said. “I was just going to have one little item from each Doctor, and it just snowballed.”

She has already had offers that weekend to buy costumes.

“I said ‘hands off,’” she said. “One hat in particular, came from my grandfather.”

There was a lot of variety.

“Anime is always popular,” DeVaughan said. “There’s a lot of talk about ‘Star Wars’ because it’s the 40th anniversary.”

In addition to costumes and a few panel discussions, authors were beginning to gather at “Author’s Row.”

M.R. Sellars, a St. Louis author serving on several panels, said the convention is a great way to promote his work.

“It was originally a literary convention, and it’s kind of getting back to that,” he said. “I come mainly to meet the fans that I have and meet new fans.”

His favorite activity is doing panels.

“There are always interesting questions,” he said. “Some of them are crazy, but they’re always interesting.”

Another major draw are various “guests of honor.” Two making their rounds Friday afternoon were Ming Chen and Zapcic of the AMC series “Comic Book Men,” which chronicles events at “Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash,” a comic-book store in Red Bank, New Jersey owned by director/actor Kevin Smith.

The two were at a booth, and Chen was looking over a “Captain America” shield worn by Kayla Deevers, of Festus, Mo.

She came as “Captain America” and “Peggy Carter” tied into one person. “I love them very much,” she said.

Deevers said she became interested in costuming because as a child she was not allowed to express herself and “be who I wanted to be.”

“I got out and I’m like ‘I’m a nerd and I like nerdy things,’” she said. “ And I love cosplay and being able to share that passion with them. I have a fangirl appreciation for Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes.”